1) Military terminology 
An antestature is an archaic term for a fortification made of sandbags. They were historically hastily established by a retreating force to slow the progress of the enemy. The word comes from the Latin ante (`before`), and statūra (`a standing`). ...
• (n.) A small intrenchment or work of palisades, or of sacks of earth.
An`te·stat'ure noun (Fort.) A small intrenchment or work of palisades, or of sacks of earth. 
An antestature is a small entrenchment or work of palisades, or of sacks of earth.